Dynamic load support in hybrid power buck-boost (HPBB) battery charger using forced continuous conduction mode (FCCM)

An electronic apparatus, comprising:

• an input current sensor configured to detect a load current from a load configured to consume electrical power, the input current sensor configured to receive power from a power adapter having a power adapter current limit;
• a battery module configured to store and retrieve electrical power in one or more battery cells;
• and
• a battery charger comprising a charger controller coupled to a power stage having a power stage first side and a power stage second side, the power stage first side comprising a first pair of switching elements connected in a series arrangement and coupled to the power adapter through the input current sensor and through a battery charger input, the power stage second side comprising a second pair of switching elements connected together in a series arrangement and coupled to the battery module, the first pair of switching elements and the second pair of switching elements being coupled together through an inductor in a buck-boost converter arrangement, the load being connected through a battery charger output to the power stage first side and isolated from the power stage second side,
• wherein the charger controller is configured to control the first pair of switching elements and the second pair of switching elements to alternately generate an inductor current comprising a first periodic current in a forward direction through the inductor to charge the battery module and generate a second periodic current in a reverse direction through the inductor to supplement power from the power adapter to the load with power stored in the battery module when the load current is greater than the power adapter current limit, the inductor current being changed from the forward direction to the reverse direction continuously.

An electronic system, comprising:

• a power adapter configured to provide electrical power, the power adapter having a power adapter current limit;
• a load configured to consume electrical power, the load having a load current;
• an input current sensor configured to detect the load current;
• a battery module configured to store and retrieve electrical power in one or more battery cells;
• and
• a battery charger comprising a charger controller coupled to a power stage having a power stage first side and a power stage second side, the power stage first side comprising a first pair of switching elements connected in a series arrangement and coupled to the power adapter through the input current sensor and through a battery charger input, the power stage second side comprising a second pair of switching elements connected together in a series arrangement and coupled to the battery module, the first pair of switching elements and the second pair of switching elements being coupled together through an inductor in a buck-boost converter arrangement, the load being connected through a battery charger output to the power stage first side and isolated from the power stage second side,
• wherein the charger controller is configured to control the first pair of switching elements and the second pair of switching elements to alternately generate an inductor current comprising a first periodic current in a forward direction through the inductor to charge the battery module and generate a second periodic current in a reverse direction through the inductor to supplement power from the power adapter to the load with power stored in the battery module when the load current is greater than the power adapter current limit, the inductor current being changed from the forward direction to the reverse direction continuously.